1/31/17
Family and friends,
We thought that it would be nice to take a little time to share with you what has been going on in our lives over the past six months. However, before doing so, we’ll share a little back story.
When Kaitlyn and I got married in May of 2014 we talked extensively about our future and goals. These goals included career, finances, family, travel and more. Through our conversations with one another, we quickly realized we shared the same excitement and passion for travel. As a result, we mutually agreed that it would be nice to take a special trip before we started a family. At that time, we had no specifics, simply that we wanted to see other parts of the world. Our goal led us to the question, "How do we financially afford a trip without knowing the specifics?" Ultimately, we didn't know. What we did know was we needed to save money and save as much as possible. Six months into our marriage, Kaitlyn and I were very blessed to be offered good paying jobs in our chosen career fields. We moved to Tulsa Oklahoma on January 1, 2015. Thus, as our new journey in Tulsa started, the saving also began and we were quickly on track with making our goals become a reality.
Currently, we still live in Tulsa, are working for the same companies, and are preparing for the next chapter of our lives. After a year in Tulsa, Kaitlyn and I began to discuss moving again. At this point, we still were without a church and Tulsa had not given us that "home" feeling we were after. We were beginning to feel the wear of our jobs in several aspects, but mainly physically and in our marriage. Work in retail as a manager had consumed my life, I was working crazy hours and never saw Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn worked night shift and our paths only seemed to cross in bed as she came home from work and I'd get up for work. Over the course of time, our goal of saving money became more important in my mind than meeting the individual needs of my wife, a fixation if you will. As I felt the weight of the burden, I began to realize there was more to life than making money and saving it as if it were all that mattered. I knew something needed to change. In June/July of 2016, the topic of moving again arose as things still had not changed and had only seemed to get worse. However, this is the beautiful part of the story for Kaitlyn and me and the part I love sharing the most. It was around this time that we really began to see the Lord's work in our lives, especially mine as I had become a man with a misguided focus and I was trying to find my own way to prosper in the world. I was in a dark place, "thinking" I was allowing God to guide me. I must say I was not, but God knew what Kaitlyn and I needed and that was a church. Since we moved to Tulsa, Kaitlyn and I tried a new church each week in hopes that we would find something quickly. However, each week it was no after no. We were discouraged and felt very empty. This was also a big void in our marriage and put strain on our relationship with one another. One Sunday, while Kaitlyn was at work, I did a google search "expository preaching Tulsa Ok". The second church that popped up was Mingo Valley Bible Fellowship. I thought to myself , "well, nothing to lose" so I went. Upon driving up to the church and walking inside, seeing approximately 50 people, my first thought was "great, another small church". After worshiping and hearing the sermon, I immediately texted Kaitlyn, "I think I may have found us a church, you'll have to come and try it" Kaitlyn attended with me several weeks later and loved it. Now, obviously there is more to the story, but for writing's sake, that is the short version. It was amazing to see the Lord provide for us at the right time as He always does. It was also around this time that Kaitlyn and I had decided that our next move was going to be to Minnesota. We felt that it would be a good place to raise a family and a good place to call home.
Why would any of the above matter? I imagine you are reading this blog and thinking, "all that is great, but is he ever going to get to talking about the trip, which is the purpose of this blog." Well, yes, but in order to do so I had to provide a little story to help get me here, but alas, we have arrived. Speaking of raising a family (above), Kaitlyn and I did begin talking about starting a family and having our first child, which is partially what led us to planning the trip we'll be taking. One day, while I was at work, I began thinking about traveling and what Kaitlyn and I had said we wanted to do before we had kids. That led me to think about our conversations of starting a family and again, what the future held for the both of us. That evening, I came home from work and said to Kaitlyn, "I have an idea. Let's take a trip and travel some of the world". Kaitlyn looked at me like I was crazy, not knowing whether to take what I said seriously or laugh it off. She had a somewhat unsure look on her face as she pondered what I had just said. I then asked, "Do you remember what we said we wanted to do before we have kids? Travel'. A couple weeks had passed and not much was said on the topic of traveling, until I came home one day and said to her, "I think we need to go on this trip, it'll be good for us and it is what we have wanted to do, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I don't want to look back and regret not doing it. So...We're doing it." Kaitlyn looked at me and said, "Seriously?? You really think we should?" I reassured her I was 100% confident and that it would really be good for us. She replied, "Okay, if you are sure. Let's do it!" That was truly the end of the discussion as to whether we would take the trip or not, we didn't think about it too much, we didn't question it...we made a decision and stuck with it.
I hope that this helps give a little background on how this trip came about. Some of you may be wondering how much consideration was given before beginning the planning process. "Is it safe?" is also common question. To help alleviate some of these questions and concerns, I will first tell you that Kaitlyn and I discussed it exhaustively. Above, I made the comment "we didn't think too much, we didn't question it...we made a decision and stuck with it". While this is a true statement, Kaitlyn and I did take proper precautions, carefully considering the pros and cons and doing adequate research. Also, we prayed, a lot. We asked that the Lord would make it clear to us whether or not we should go on this trip and move to Minnesota afterward. We specifically prayed that doors would be closed if this was not the right decision. Today, we both can say that no doors have been closed. Additionally, to answer the question "Is it safe?" We would say it is as safe as it'll ever be; however, Kaitlyn and I are striving to be smart about the trip and taking the necessary precautions to stay as safe as possible. We would in fact would like to return stronger and healthier, ready for more of the life God has given to us.
In conclusion, as we have shared our adventure plans with many, we have not yet shared with all. This is our first public announcement of our plans. One area that we ask for your help is through prayer. The power of prayer is what will help guide us and prepare us for what is to come on this journey. With that said, we hope that you enjoy reading along with us as we post new blogs to share the excitement of travel with you. There will be many new experiences - new foods, great people, fascinating places and an awe of God's creation. Through it all, may God be glorified. We welcome you to join with us as we depart on this journey of worthwhile wandering.
Love,
N+K
Why would any of the above matter? I imagine you are reading this blog and thinking, "all that is great, but is he ever going to get to talking about the trip, which is the purpose of this blog." Well, yes, but in order to do so I had to provide a little story to help get me here, but alas, we have arrived. Speaking of raising a family (above), Kaitlyn and I did begin talking about starting a family and having our first child, which is partially what led us to planning the trip we'll be taking. One day, while I was at work, I began thinking about traveling and what Kaitlyn and I had said we wanted to do before we had kids. That led me to think about our conversations of starting a family and again, what the future held for the both of us. That evening, I came home from work and said to Kaitlyn, "I have an idea. Let's take a trip and travel some of the world". Kaitlyn looked at me like I was crazy, not knowing whether to take what I said seriously or laugh it off. She had a somewhat unsure look on her face as she pondered what I had just said. I then asked, "Do you remember what we said we wanted to do before we have kids? Travel'. A couple weeks had passed and not much was said on the topic of traveling, until I came home one day and said to her, "I think we need to go on this trip, it'll be good for us and it is what we have wanted to do, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I don't want to look back and regret not doing it. So...We're doing it." Kaitlyn looked at me and said, "Seriously?? You really think we should?" I reassured her I was 100% confident and that it would really be good for us. She replied, "Okay, if you are sure. Let's do it!" That was truly the end of the discussion as to whether we would take the trip or not, we didn't think about it too much, we didn't question it...we made a decision and stuck with it.
I hope that this helps give a little background on how this trip came about. Some of you may be wondering how much consideration was given before beginning the planning process. "Is it safe?" is also common question. To help alleviate some of these questions and concerns, I will first tell you that Kaitlyn and I discussed it exhaustively. Above, I made the comment "we didn't think too much, we didn't question it...we made a decision and stuck with it". While this is a true statement, Kaitlyn and I did take proper precautions, carefully considering the pros and cons and doing adequate research. Also, we prayed, a lot. We asked that the Lord would make it clear to us whether or not we should go on this trip and move to Minnesota afterward. We specifically prayed that doors would be closed if this was not the right decision. Today, we both can say that no doors have been closed. Additionally, to answer the question "Is it safe?" We would say it is as safe as it'll ever be; however, Kaitlyn and I are striving to be smart about the trip and taking the necessary precautions to stay as safe as possible. We would in fact would like to return stronger and healthier, ready for more of the life God has given to us.
In conclusion, as we have shared our adventure plans with many, we have not yet shared with all. This is our first public announcement of our plans. One area that we ask for your help is through prayer. The power of prayer is what will help guide us and prepare us for what is to come on this journey. With that said, we hope that you enjoy reading along with us as we post new blogs to share the excitement of travel with you. There will be many new experiences - new foods, great people, fascinating places and an awe of God's creation. Through it all, may God be glorified. We welcome you to join with us as we depart on this journey of worthwhile wandering.
Love,
N+K
